For the first time this postseason, Brandon Lowe and Kevin Kiermaier were not in the Rays’ starting lineup for Wednesday’s Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the Astros.

Kiermaier was removed in the sixth inning of Tuesday's 5-2 win in Game 3 after getting hit on the left hand by a 99 mph fastball from Enoli Paredes. Fortunately for the Rays, X-rays came back negative for Kiermaier and the outfielder was available off the bench on Wednesday.

“He’s sore and he’s going to continue getting treatment throughout the day, throughout batting practice and probably in the early part of the game,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “If we need him late, hopefully he’ll be available, whether it’s hit, run, or certainly for defense.”

With Kiermaier sidelined, Manuel Margot started in center field and hit leadoff against Houston starter Zack Greinke. Margot, who played his first four seasons with the Padres, is very familiar with Petco Park. Yoshi Tsutsugo also returned to the lineup, serving as the designated hitter and hitting eighth.

As for Lowe, Cash said that the reasoning behind sitting the All-Star on Wednesday was mostly due to Greinke’s ability to command multiple offspeed pitches, which has been a weakness for Lowe over the past two seasons and this postseason.

Not being in the starting lineup could also serve as a good mental break for Lowe, who hit 14 home runs in the regular season and is one of seven finalists for the Hank Aaron Award, which is given to the most outstanding player in each league.

That success hasn’t carried over to the postseason, however, as Lowe is 3-for-39 in 10 games and is just 1-for-his-last-34. Despite his struggles, the Rays will continue to call on Lowe in key situations.

“He’s just sitting for a couple of innings,” Cash said. “If we need his bat, he’ll come in for basically any good matchup that we can find. But really, no concern whatsoever with him and [we] have full confidence that he’s going to give us a big at-bat if we need it.”

Drake tests free agency
Oliver Drake, who was designated for assignment on Sunday, has elected to test free agency instead of accepting an outright assignment to the Rays' alternate training site.

Drake was a big part of the Rays’ bullpen in 2019, posting a 3.21 ERA in 50 appearances. A pair of arm injuries derailed his '20 season, and the Rays ultimately decided to DFA him in order to make room for José Alvarado on the ALCS roster.

Drake, 33, should garner enough interest in free agency, but the Rays could try to bring him back on a short-term deal.